The Weekly Zine

I know how it is.  You, no doubt, are super busy.  And I, when it comes to blogging, am pretty prolific.  I owe it to you, as a beaverish blogger, to make it simple for you to keep up with the doings at Dixon Hill.  I want you to be able to follow my ramblings and musings with the minimum of effort.

And so I’ve had a brainwave.  I’ve turned the monthly newsletter into a weekly zine.  If you sign up, you’ll get an e-mail every weekend rounding up that week’s posts.  You can either head straight to the blog with one click for a thorough catch-up or pick and choose from the week’s offerings as laid out in the zine. And, because it arrives at the weekend, there’ll be a small prompt in every issue - a simple way to connect with the world around you.  Think of it as a reminder to slow down and take a few moments for yourself; a reminder to be present and aware (‘cause, let’s face it, we all need reminders).

The zine should make it easier for me to connect with you, easier for you to catch up with me.  Click here to sign up; then let me know what you think and whether it works for you.

P.S. If you were already subscribed to the monthly newsletter, no need to do anything - the weekly zines will automatically come your way unless you unsubscribe.  You should have had the first one last weekend.

The Swarm

I’m feeling massively grateful today.

On Sunday evening, my husband found a dozen or so drowsy bees in our bathroom.  By lunchtime yesterday, an entire swarm had joined them, getting into the house through a pipe in the wall and finding its way into the bathroom through a broken tile.

A couple of panicked phone calls later and I’d discovered they were honey bees, looking for a new home and trying to decide whether our house fitted the bill.  It wouldn’t be possible to capture the swarm, I was told, and take it elsewhere.  So, unless we fancied coexistence, our choices were to leave home or kill the bees.  This tale, it seemed, was doomed not to have a happy ending.

Last night, however, the swarm made up its mind.  It didn‘t like the look of our house, after all (should I be affronted or relieved?).  It upped and off, leaving just a few confused bees still looking for their queen.

What a reprieve!  For the bees and for me.  I was appalled to think I might be responsible for the destruction of precious honey bees.   But living together was definitely NOT an option!  Let’s trust the swarm finds its perfect home today - one it doesn‘t have to share with humans.

P.S. I’m not a bee expert so haven’t a clue whether the bee in the photo is a honey bee or not.  The picture’s from my archives.  There’s absolutely no way I was doing a photo shoot with yesterday’s swarm!

Monday Meditation (17)

 ‘I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the work of

the stars.’

 Walt Whitman

Memories of a Sun-drenched Summer Sunday

I want to remember:

Listening to the cuckoo call - so glad he/she has returned this year

Sitting on the church steps under a blue, blue sky, listening to The Old Time String Band - they were fabulous!

Being wrapped in love - a hug full of understanding from Sandra, a rarely seen friend from Germany

Heading to Vera’s seat on the moor, only to find I’d been beaten to it by a colourful couple who were snogging like it was an Olympic event (Vera gets to see all sorts!)

Wearing my favourite green tunic from India - cool and decorative with amazing memories woven into every inch

Walking past the cricket pitch as someone hit a six.  The ball bounced off the pavilion roof, flew across the path, over the fence and down the heather-clad cliff side.  'Can we borrow your dog to find our ball?' asked the cricketers.  Joss obliged!

Wild Mushroom and Goose Egg Omelettes

For the last few days, I’ve had access to a (very temporary) supply of magnificent goose eggs.  They’re HUGE!  And just one of these beauties makes a very substantial omelette.  So this has been the week of the wild mushroom and goose egg omelette.  Or rather, lots of them.

Each morning, walking back across the moor, I’ve stopped to buy my daily egg.  Then carried it oh-so-carefully home.  Once safely ensconced in the kitchen, I’ve set to……using both fresh and dried wild mushrooms; and masses of herbs and foraged greens.

The result?  A gourmet dish fit for the gods.  (But I’m the one who gets to eat it!)

The Recipe (in case you want to eat it, too..)

1. Soak a handful of dried, wild mushrooms in boiling water for 20 minutes or so.  (You can buy tubs of dried, wild mushrooms from delis and some supermarkets.)

2. Sauté some fresh mushrooms – whatever kind you like best (I like earthy chestnut mushrooms) - in olive oil.

3. Lightly whisk your goose egg with a tablespoon or two of the mushroom soak water, plenty of freshly ground black pepper and some good quality salt (Celtic sea salt or pink Himalayan).

4. Turn the heat up high and pour the egg mix into the sautéed mushrooms.  Keep drawing the outer edges of the omelette towards the centre of the pan, tilting it so the still-runny egg rushes into the space.

5. Slide the omelette onto a plate when the top is still not quite set.  Sprinkle with mixed dried herbs.  Strain the soaked mushrooms and scatter on top of the omelette.  Add lots of fresh herbs (whatever you have to hand – I’ve mostly been using basil and thyme this week) and/or foraged or fresh greens (try wild rocket, ramsons or dandelion leaves).

6. Fold over the omelette if all the toppings allow.

7. Feast!